Understanding Concussion: What Happens to Your Brain and Why Symptoms Matter
Concussion isn't simply a bump to the head. It's an injury that can temporarily disrupt how your brain processes information, coordinates movement and communicates with the rest of your body.
And while many people associate concussion with contact sports, you don't need to be a professional athlete, lose consciousness or even hit your head directly to experience one.
A fall, car accident, cycling injury or sudden jolt to the body may be enough to cause a concussion.
At Nomad Chiropractic in Mosman, Sydney, we have a particular interest in the relationship between the brain, nervous system and musculoskeletal function.
Our chiropractor, Dr Teri Meyer, has over ten years of clinical experience and a Master's degree in Neuroscience from the University of Barcelona. Her special interest in concussion and neurological function brings an additional perspective to understanding how injuries can affect the brain, neck, balance and movement.
So, what actually happens during a concussion? Why do some people experience headaches, dizziness or brain fog? And why might your neck be relevant to your recovery?
Let's explore the neuroscience.
What Is a Concussion?
A concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by a force transmitted to the brain.
This may occur through:
A direct blow to the head.
A fall or sporting collision.
A car accident or whiplash-type injury.
A sudden acceleration or deceleration of the head.
An impact to the body that transfers force to the brain.
Importantly, you do not need to lose consciousness to experience a concussion.
In fact, someone may remain awake, continue talking and even walk away from an accident without initially recognising that their brain has been injured.
Concussion primarily involves a disturbance in brain function rather than an injury that can necessarily be seen on conventional medical imaging.
A standard CT scan or MRI may appear normal despite someone experiencing significant concussion symptoms.
This doesn't mean those symptoms aren't real.
It means that the changes associated with concussion often occur at a physiological and cellular level rather than producing obvious structural abnormalities.
Research insight: The 2023 International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport describes concussion as a traumatic brain injury involving a cascade of neurological and metabolic changes. Symptoms may appear immediately or develop over the following hours.
What Actually Happens Inside Your Brain During a Concussion?
Your brain contains billions of neurons that communicate through electrical and chemical signals.
These networks coordinate almost everything you do, from walking and maintaining balance to concentrating, processing emotions and regulating sleep.
When the brain experiences rapid acceleration, deceleration or rotational forces, its normal functioning may be temporarily disrupted.
Researchers describe this process as the neurometabolic cascade of concussion.
1. Brain Cells Experience Mechanical Stress
During a concussion, mechanical forces can stretch and disturb neuronal membranes and nerve fibres.
This can temporarily alter the way neurons communicate.
Depending on the nature of the injury, certain neural networks may become less efficient at processing and transmitting information.
2. Chemical Signalling Becomes Disrupted
Following the injury, changes occur in the movement of ions such as potassium and calcium across neuronal membranes.
There may also be an increase in the release of neurotransmitters, including glutamate.
These changes disrupt the usual electrical balance of brain cells.
The brain must then work harder to restore its normal cellular environment.
3. The Brain Experiences Increased Energy Demands
Restoring normal cellular function requires energy.
However, concussion can temporarily interfere with the brain's ability to meet these increased metabolic demands.
This mismatch between energy supply and demand is sometimes described as a cerebral energy crisis.
It's one reason someone recovering from concussion may feel unusually tired or find everyday activities more demanding than normal.
4. Normal Brain Processing May Become Less Efficient
These physiological changes can affect several aspects of brain function, including:
Attention and concentration.
Memory and information processing.
Balance and coordination.
Visual processing.
Sensitivity to light and sound.
Emotional regulation.
Sleep and fatigue.
The exact combination of symptoms depends on the individual, the injury and the neurological systems affected.
The important takeaway?
Concussion is much more than a headache following a knock to the head. It involves complex changes in how the brain functions.
Research insight: Giza and Hovda's research into the neurometabolic cascade of concussion provides an important scientific foundation for understanding the cellular and energy-related changes that follow mild traumatic brain injury.
What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Concussion?
Concussion symptoms aren't always immediately obvious.
Some people develop symptoms within minutes, while others notice changes over the following hours or days.
Physical Symptoms
Common physical symptoms include:
Headaches or pressure in the head.
Dizziness or light-headedness.
Nausea.
Blurred or double vision.
Sensitivity to light or noise.
Balance difficulties.
Neck pain or stiffness.
Unusual fatigue.
Cognitive Symptoms
Concussion may also affect thinking and information processing.
You might experience:
Brain fog.
Difficulty concentrating.
Forgetfulness.
Slower processing of information.
Difficulty multitasking.
Feeling mentally overwhelmed.
Some people describe this as feeling disconnected, foggy or simply not quite themselves.
Emotional and Behavioural Symptoms
Changes in emotional regulation can also occur.
These may include increased irritability, anxiety, frustration, low mood or feeling more emotional than usual.
Sleep Disturbances
Concussion can influence normal sleep patterns.
Some people experience excessive sleepiness, while others struggle to fall asleep or stay asleep.
Sleep difficulties can also contribute to ongoing fatigue, headaches and concentration problems.
Because these symptoms overlap with other conditions, a thorough assessment is important rather than assuming every symptom following an injury is caused by concussion.
Why Can Concussion Affect Your Balance, Vision and Coordination?
One of the most interesting aspects of concussion neuroscience is the relationship between the brain and the body's sensory systems.
Your brain continuously receives information about where your body is, how you're moving and what's happening around you.
Three systems are particularly important.
1. The Vestibular System
Your vestibular system is located within your inner ears and communicates with several areas of your brain.
It helps detect head movement and position, stabilise your gaze and maintain balance.
Following concussion, vestibular processing may become disrupted.
This can contribute to symptoms such as dizziness, motion sensitivity, nausea, difficulty balancing and discomfort in visually busy environments.
For example, someone might feel relatively comfortable sitting quietly but become dizzy while walking through a supermarket.
The movement of people, changing visual information and demands on balance can become difficult to process.
2. The Visual System
Your visual system does much more than allow you to see clearly.
It also helps coordinate eye movements, track moving objects and stabilise your vision while your head moves.
Concussion can affect these functions.
You might notice difficulty reading, discomfort looking at screens, blurred vision or headaches when concentrating on visual tasks.
Some people also experience problems coordinating their eye movements or shifting focus between objects.
3. The Proprioceptive System
Proprioception is your body's internal awareness of position and movement.
Specialised sensory receptors within muscles, tendons and joints continuously provide information to the brain.
This allows you to move without constantly looking at your body.
For example, you can walk down stairs, turn your head or reach for an object without having to consciously calculate where every joint is positioned.
Your cervical spine, or neck, provides particularly important proprioceptive information about the position and movement of your head.
The brain integrates vestibular, visual and proprioceptive information to coordinate movement and maintain balance.
When these systems aren't communicating or processing information efficiently, symptoms such as dizziness, poor coordination and spatial disorientation may occur.
This is one reason a comprehensive concussion assessment may need to consider more than the brain injury alone.
What Does Your Neck Have to Do With a Concussion?
Quite a lot, potentially.
Although concussion is a brain injury, the forces involved in causing it can also affect the cervical spine.
A sudden sporting collision, fall or car accident may place considerable mechanical stress on the muscles, joints and other structures of the neck.
This means concussion and cervical injury can occur together.
Interestingly, their symptoms can overlap.
Both conditions may contribute to:
The Neck–Brain Connection
Your upper cervical spine contains a particularly high concentration of sensory receptors that help inform the brain about head position and movement.
This information contributes to sensorimotor integration — the process through which the nervous system combines sensory information to coordinate appropriate movement.
Research into cervical proprioception has explored how altered sensory input from the neck may contribute to dizziness and disturbances in movement control.
Australian chiropractor and researcher Dr Carlo Rinaudo, founder of Brain Hub, has investigated vestibular function, eye movement control and neurological rehabilitation.
His published research includes work examining vestibulo-ocular reflex adaptation, a process involved in maintaining stable vision during head movements.
Research by neuroscientist and chiropractor Dr Heidi Haavik has also investigated how spinal manipulation may influence aspects of sensorimotor processing and cortical activity.
These areas of research provide useful insights into communication between the spine and nervous system.
However, changes observed in sensorimotor processing following spinal manipulation should not be confused with evidence that chiropractic adjustments reverse concussion-related brain injury.
The clinical relevance is that cervical dysfunction may be one contributing factor to symptoms following concussion, particularly headaches, neck discomfort and certain forms of dizziness.
Identifying these factors can help guide appropriate rehabilitation.
Why Do Some People Recover Quickly While Others Don't?
One of the biggest misconceptions about concussion is that everyone should recover within a few days.
In reality, recovery varies considerably.
Many people improve substantially over the first several weeks.
Others experience symptoms that persist longer.
Several factors may influence recovery, including:
The severity and nature of the initial symptoms.
Previous concussion history.
Pre-existing migraine or headache conditions.
Sleep quality.
Associated cervical injuries.
Vestibular or visual dysfunction.
Psychological stress and emotional wellbeing.
Other medical conditions.
Access to appropriate rehabilitation.
Persistent symptoms don't necessarily mean the brain is permanently damaged.
They do, however, deserve proper investigation.
The international concussion consensus recommends a more comprehensive assessment when symptoms persist beyond four weeks.
This may involve examining cervical function, vestibular processing, visual function, exercise tolerance, sleep and other factors that could contribute to ongoing symptoms.
We'll explore persistent post-concussion symptoms in detail in the second article of this series.
What Should You Do Immediately After a Suspected Concussion?
If you suspect you've experienced a concussion, the first priority is appropriate medical assessment.
Anyone with a suspected sport-related concussion should stop playing immediately and should not return to sport that day unless an appropriately qualified healthcare professional determines that concussion has been excluded.
Symptoms can evolve after the initial injury, so monitoring is important.
When Is a Head Injury an Emergency?
Seek emergency medical assistance if someone develops:
A worsening or severe headache.
Repeated vomiting.
Seizures.
Increasing confusion or unusual behaviour.
Weakness or numbness.
Double vision.
Reduced consciousness or difficulty waking.
Severe neck pain or other signs of a possible serious cervical injury.
Call 000 in Australia for emergency assistance when serious symptoms are present.
Should You Rest After a Concussion?
For many years, concussion advice centred around complete physical and cognitive rest.
Research has since changed our understanding of recovery.
Current international recommendations favour approximately 24–48 hours of relative rest rather than prolonged bed rest or complete isolation.
Relative rest may include:
Prioritising sleep.
Temporarily reducing demanding activities.
Limiting screen time if it aggravates symptoms.
Avoiding contact sport and activities that risk another head injury.
Gradually reintroducing comfortable everyday movement.
Light physical activity, such as gentle walking, may be appropriate during the first 24–48 hours when symptoms allow.
Progression should be individualised.
A healthcare professional experienced in concussion management can help guide activity and determine when more structured rehabilitation is appropriate.
The Role of Neuroplasticity in Concussion Recovery
Neuroplasticity refers to the nervous system's capacity to adapt and reorganise in response to experience, learning and injury.
It's an important concept in neuroscience and rehabilitation.
Your brain isn't a static organ.
Its networks continually adapt through movement, sensory experiences, learning and repetition.
Following concussion, rehabilitation may help support the recovery of affected functions through carefully selected activities.
Depending on the individual, this might involve:
Graduated aerobic exercise.
Vestibular rehabilitation.
Balance and coordination exercises.
Eye movement and gaze-stabilisation exercises.
Cervical rehabilitation.
Gradual progression of cognitive activities.
The goal isn't simply to push through symptoms.
It's to introduce appropriate challenges that help restore function without overwhelming the person's current capacity.
Australian researcher Dr Carlo Rinaudo has contributed to published work investigating vestibulo-ocular reflex adaptation training. This research demonstrates how targeted sensory-motor exercises can influence vestibular function in people with peripheral vestibular impairment. Although that research did not specifically establish concussion treatment outcomes, it illustrates principles that are relevant to understanding neurological rehabilitation.
Neuroplasticity is part of the biological foundation for recovery, but rehabilitation needs to be specific to the person's condition and clinical findings.
How Can Chiropractic Care Fit Into Concussion Recovery?
At Nomad Chiropractic, we recognise that concussion is a neurological injury requiring appropriate medical assessment and, where indicated, multidisciplinary management.
Chiropractic care does not replace medical concussion diagnosis, neurological evaluation or specialist rehabilitation.
However, chiropractors with relevant training may contribute to the assessment and management of associated musculoskeletal problems.
In particular, the cervical spine deserves consideration when someone experiences ongoing neck pain, headaches, movement restrictions or certain forms of dizziness following an injury.
A musculoskeletal and sensorimotor assessment may consider:
Cervical range of motion.
Neck muscle function.
Cervical joint mobility.
Head and neck proprioception.
Postural control.
Movement coordination.
Symptom responses to particular movements.
Findings may help determine whether cervical rehabilitation, additional neurological assessment or referral to another practitioner is appropriate.
Research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has demonstrated benefits from combining cervical physiotherapy and vestibular rehabilitation in selected patients experiencing prolonged symptoms following sport-related concussion.
This supports the importance of recognising and addressing cervical and vestibular contributions to recovery.
It does not establish spinal manipulation as a treatment for concussion itself.
Meet Dr Teri Meyer: Chiropractic Care With a Neuroscience Perspective
At Nomad Chiropractic, we're fortunate to have Dr Teri Meyer, an experienced chiropractor with a special interest in concussion, neurological function and the relationship between the brain and body.
Teri has more than ten years of clinical experience and completed a Master's degree in Neuroscience at the University of Barcelona.
Her background combines chiropractic education, clinical experience and postgraduate neuroscience training.
She has a particular interest in understanding how the nervous system influences movement, coordination and musculoskeletal function.
For patients experiencing neck pain, headaches or movement-related symptoms following a medically assessed concussion, this background informs her approach to evaluating the cervical spine and associated musculoskeletal factors.
Where more specialised concussion rehabilitation is required, coordinated care and appropriate referral remain important.
Concussion Recovery Is About More Than Waiting for a Headache to Disappear
One of the most important messages from modern concussion research is that recovery involves more than simply waiting for symptoms to settle.
The brain works as part of a complex, interconnected nervous system.
Its ability to process movement, visual information, balance, sensation and cognitive demands influences how we function throughout the day.
Following concussion, several of these systems may be affected.
For some people, symptoms resolve relatively quickly.
For others, identifying specific contributing factors and introducing appropriately targeted rehabilitation can be an important part of recovery.
Understanding what's happening is the first step.
And recognising when additional assessment may be helpful can make an important difference to the recovery journey.
Looking for a Chiropractor With a Neuroscience Background in Mosman?
At Nomad Chiropractic, we support adults, teenagers and families throughout Mosman, Neutral Bay, Cremorne, North Sydney, Sydney's Lower North Shore and the Northern Beaches.
Dr Teri Meyer brings extensive chiropractic experience and postgraduate neuroscience education to her clinical approach, with a particular interest in concussion-related neurological and musculoskeletal presentations.
If you've experienced a concussion and have already received appropriate medical assessment, but continue to experience neck pain, headaches or movement-related concerns, a cervical musculoskeletal assessment may help identify additional factors worth addressing.
Book an appointment with Dr Teri Meyer at Nomad Chiropractic to discuss whether chiropractic assessment is appropriate for your circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions About Concussion
1. Can you have a concussion without hitting your head?
Yes. Concussion can occur when a sudden force to the body causes rapid movement of the head and brain.
For example, a sporting collision or car accident may transmit sufficient force to cause a concussion even without a direct head impact.
Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea or difficulty concentrating.
If concussion is suspected, medical assessment is recommended.
2. Can concussion symptoms appear days after an injury?
Yes. While many symptoms occur immediately, others can become more noticeable over the following hours or days.
Someone may initially feel relatively normal but later develop headaches, fatigue, dizziness or cognitive difficulties.
This is one reason monitoring after a head injury is important.
New, worsening or concerning symptoms should prompt medical reassessment.
3. Why do I feel dizzy after a concussion?
Dizziness following concussion can have several possible causes.
These include disturbances in vestibular processing, eye movement coordination, balance control or associated cervical dysfunction.
Conditions such as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) may also occur following head trauma.
Because dizziness has multiple potential causes, identifying the source is important before determining appropriate rehabilitation.
4. Can concussion cause neck pain and headaches?
Yes. The forces associated with concussion may also injure or irritate structures within the cervical spine.
This can contribute to neck pain, reduced mobility and certain headache patterns.
Some people experience symptoms arising from both concussion and an associated cervical injury.
A comprehensive assessment can help differentiate these contributing factors.
5. Can a chiropractor help after a concussion?
A chiropractor with appropriate training may be able to assess and manage associated cervical musculoskeletal problems, such as neck pain, restricted movement or cervicogenic headaches.
Some aspects of cervical rehabilitation can complement multidisciplinary concussion management.
However, chiropractic adjustments have not been established as a treatment that heals concussion-related brain injury.
Concussion requires appropriate medical assessment, and persistent neurological symptoms may require specialist evaluation and targeted rehabilitation.
Concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that can temporarily disrupt neurological communication, balance, vision, concentration and movement. Symptoms may include headaches, dizziness, brain fog and neck pain. Recovery varies between individuals, and persistent symptoms may require assessment of cervical, vestibular and visual function. At Nomad Chiropractic in Mosman, Dr Teri Meyer brings postgraduate neuroscience education and chiropractic experience to the assessment of associated musculoskeletal concerns.
Want to learn more? Book a FREE 15min discovery call with an experienced concussion chiropractor today: Book HERE
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References and Further Reading
1. Patricios JS, et al. (2023).
Consensus statement on concussion in sport: The 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport — Amsterdam, October 2022.
British Journal of Sports Medicine, 57(11), 695–711.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2023-1068982. Giza CC, Hovda DA. (2014).
The new neurometabolic cascade of concussion.
Neurosurgery, 75(Suppl 4), S24–S33.
https://doi.org/10.1227/NEU.00000000000005053. Schneider KJ, et al. (2014).
Cervicovestibular rehabilitation in sport-related concussion: A randomised controlled trial.
British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(17), 1294–1298.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2013-0932674. Rinaudo CN, Schubert MC, Cremer PD, Figtree WVC, Todd CJ, Migliaccio AA. (2021).
Once-Daily Incremental Vestibular-Ocular Reflex Adaptation Training in Patients With Chronic Peripheral Vestibular Hypofunction: A 1-Week Randomized Controlled Study.
Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy, 45(2), 87–100.
https://doi.org/10.1097/NPT.00000000000003485. Kristjansson E, Treleaven J. (2009).
Sensorimotor function and dizziness in neck pain: Implications for assessment and management.
Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 39(5), 364–377.
https://doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2009.28346. Australian Spinal Research Foundation.
Beyond a Doubt: Adjusting the Subluxated Spine Changes Brain Function. Discussion of Heidi Haavik and colleagues' research into spinal manipulation and cortical processing.
https://spinalresearch.com.au/research-beyond-doubt-adjusting-subluxated-spine-changes-brain-function/7. Australian Spinal Research Foundation.
Effect of Chiropractic Care on Cerebellar Function. Research project investigating sensorimotor integration following spinal adjustments.
https://spinalresearch.com.au/funded_research_projects/effect-chiropractic-care-cerebellar-function/8. Brain Hub — Dr Carlo Rinaudo.
Clinical educational resources on concussion, whiplash, vestibular dysfunction and neurological rehabilitation.
https://brainhub.com.au/9. Australian Sports Commission.
Concussion in Australian Sport — Recognition, Assessment and Management.
https://www.concussioninsport.gov.au/10. Healthdirect Australia.
Concussion: Symptoms, Signs and Treatment.
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/accidents-and-injuries/concussion -
This article provides general educational information and does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Concussion is a traumatic brain injury and should be assessed by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Chiropractic care is not a substitute for medical concussion management. Any cervical or musculoskeletal treatment following head or neck trauma should be considered only after appropriate assessment and exclusion of serious injury. Call 000 for emergency symptoms.
Learn what happens to your brain during concussion, common symptoms, recovery and the neck–brain connection with Nomad Chiropractic in Mosman, Sydney.